Automobile signal



A. WEISBERG.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 17. 1921.

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AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FlLED FEB.17, 1921.

Patented Apr. 4, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AARON WEI ESBERG, OF PUEBLO, COLORADOJ AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4., 1922."

Application filed February 17,1921. Serial No. 445,805.

To taller/tom it may concern Be it'known that I, AARON TEISBERG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pueblo, in the county of Pueblo and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Automobile Sig-a following is a specificato provide for a signal of the character, specified, and one tl1EllJ1S of comparatively simple andinexpensive construction; that is easily andreadily attached to or removed from operativeposition on the'desired portion of a' vehicle orautomobile; and that is capable offbeing easily manipulated by the driver'or operator for the purposes of the same without interfering to any appreciable degree with his, or her, otherwise close at tention and effort necessary for the proper control of the vehicle or automobile.

Vvith'the foregoing'and other objects in view, the invention resides in the certain novel and useful construction and arrangementof parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, set forth in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a'perspective view of the forward portion of an automobile showing the signal in its preferred position thereon,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device per se,

Fig. 3 isa top plan view of the device as in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional detail of the signal arm journal,

Fig. 5'isa horizontal sectional detail taken on the line 55 of'Fi g. 4;,

Fig: 6 is a fragmentary detail, partly in section, of'th'e signal arm supporting sleeve,

- Fig. 7' is an elevation of thesignal lamp socket associated with the signal arm journal,

Fig. Sis an end view of the signal arm acti'iating device,- and,

Fig; 9 is aper'spective view of the signal arm per se, with one of the transparent walls" removed therefrom.

Referring; to the drawings, wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts in the-several views thereof, and more particularly to Fig. 1, thenum eral 10 indicates the forward end of an automobile, 11 the oppositely disposed bracket arms between which are supported usual wind shield sect-ions 12, 13 the left forward door leading to the drivers or op= erators seat in rear of the steering and control mechanisms, and 1 1 the side wall por tion of the body of the automobile forward of the door 13. In the preferred use of the signaling device, the same is adapted to lie clamped to the left hand side of the wind shield 12, or the adjacent bracketthereof; and extended outwardly therefrom, while the signal arm lamp control switch is to be conveniently secured, and preferably so, on the side wall portion 14 immediately adjacent the steering column of the automobile, as shown.

The signal device supporting means comprises a substantially U-shaped bracket member preferably formed of two pieces of strap metal bent substantially L-sliaped and arranged in reversed order with the shorter leg portions 15 and 16 thereofcpposed one to the other in either of an abutting relation, or'sp'aced apart, as the case may be, with their longer leg portions 15 and 16" disposed in spaced parallel relation, and these latter leg portions are formed with aligned circular openings through which the straight threaded end portion 17 of an outwardly extending signal supporting arm 18 is passed inward of the same to a point slightly in rear of the wind shield 12. The two parts of the bracket, hereinafter to be generally designated by the numerals 15 and 16 are held in either of aclosely adjusted position, one with respect to the other, or spaced apart as may be desired or necessary, on the threaded end portion 17 by means of clamping nuts 19 and19, a pair ofwhich. designated 19, are associated with the bracket part 15, one'to either sid'e'of the same, and one, designated 19', abutting the inner face of the bracket member 16'. The bracket members 15' and 16 areeach provided with-suitablyarranged openings for the reception of a pair of screw fastenings 20 and 20, by means of which a pair of clamping elements or arms 21 and'22 are secured in position thereon. The inner clamping arm 21 is laid against the'outer in the members 21 and 22 inward. of the plane of the inner face of the block 23 and are threaded into complemental openings in the bracket part 16. The free ends of the clamping members 21 and 22 are suitably shaped to engage the opposite side faces of the frame of the wind shield 12, or of one of the bracket arms 11, preferably at the left side of the vehicle, supporting the latter. By adjusting the clamp bracket thus provided along the threaded end 17 of the signal supporting arm 18, the signal arm may be properly positioned at the same distance outward from the side of cars of different types and makes.

p Th bracket arm and its threaded portion 17 is of onepiece tubular construction, and the outer end portion 18 is preferably curved downwardly and outwardly with its extreme free end portion straightened out in a verticaldirection, and threa 'led onto the fre'c end thereof is a cylindrical journal housing 24, in the bottom of which is supported circular bearing member or disk 25, having a center opening'in registry with the bore of the arm 18, and an annular groove concentric therewith in which is supported a series of ball bearings 26, upon which, in turn, is supported a bearing disk 27, also having a center opening; in registry with the bore of the arm 18" and the center opening of the bearing disk 25. and an annular groove engaging the ball bearings 26. Fitted concentrically within the housing is a cylindrical sleeve or member 23 which is threaded or otherwise secured at its upper end to a signal arm 29. which extends dia metrically of the same and consequently of the housing 24-, and has its lower end resting on the upper face of the hearing disk 27. The

lower end of the sleeve 23 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed recesses 36 which are engaged over a pair of similarly disposed lugs or projections 31 coi'nplemeutal thereto and rising from the hearing disk 27, whereby the sleeve 28, and. the signal arm 29 carried thereby, are rotated correspondingly with the rotation of the disk 27.

Extending entirely through the bracket arm 18 is a flexible cable or shaft 32 which. has its outer end passing upwardly through the registering openings of the hearing disks 25 a,nd27, the extreme end of which as in 3 3, being squared to conform to the opening in the hearing disk 27, and is held in engagementtherewith by means of a cotter pln 34. The inner end of the flexible shaft 32 passes r from the threaded'end portion 17, of the arm tension 35. The free end of the flexible shaft 32 is tensioned outwardly of the bore of the extension 35 by means of a coiled spring 38 which is disposed concentrically of the easing 37 and abuts the inner wall thereof and has its outer end connected to the shaft'end for such purpose. The peripheral wall of the i sing 37 is formed at its outer side edge to provide a medial point or projection 39 to either side of which extends circumferentially thereof a pair of slotways 40 and 40. The outer end wall 37' of this casing is removably secured in position, and is formed with three equidistantly spaced radially ex tending slots 41, 41 and 41", the slot 41 opening into the lower end of the slotway 40, the slot 41 opening into the adjacent ends of both the slotways 40 and 40 to either side of the medial point39 and the slot 41" opens into the lower end of theslotway 40'. The slots 41 and 41 have their upperwalls wall 37, as at 41 and 41, respectively,while the slot 41 has both of its radiallydisposed walls curved into the peripheral edge of the end wall 37, as at 41 and 41, respectively, in opposite directions to either side of the medial. point 39. Pivoted on the free end of the flexible cable or shaft 32 within the easing 37, as at 42, is an actuating lever 43 which extends diagonally upward of the easing to the slotways 40 and 40 and has its outer end bent to extend outwardly and slightly diagonally ofthe radius ofthe cir cular end plate 37. The free end 'ofthe outer portion of the lever 43 provided with a knob or finger piece 43 by means of which it is to be manipulated. The lever 43 is nio 'able along the slotways 40 and 40" and is cugageable in the slots 4], 41' and 41. which slots represent the three opera live positions of the signal arm 29. which is rotated to its indicating positionsby the movement imparted to the flexible shaft :32 upon the nianipi'llation of the lever 43. The.

passage of the lever 4-3 from the slo tway 40 a to the slotway 40, or vice versa. 15 made possible by reason of the oppositely curved walls of the radial slot 41" allowing for its radial-slot 41' through slot-way 0 to radial slot/ll, the signal arm '29 is moved to indicute right turnmovement oi the vehicle, and when moved from slot ll through slotwayf lO to radial slot ll", the signal arm 29 is then rotated to indicate leftturn movementotthe vehicle;

Thesignal arm 29 is preferably in the form of a hollow housing of arrow configuration and has its opposite open sides normally closed by means oi arroivshaped pieces otglass' lo, preterably red in'color, and the same are held imposition by means of bendable tongues l l formed on the edges of the open'sides oi the signal arm, while the rear wall of the arm has a circular opening closed by a glass lens 4-5, preterably green in color;

Forthe purpose of illuminating the signal arm 29 at night, a' cylindrical lamp socket 4:6 is positioned concentrically within the housing 24 and is secured in such position by means-0t ascrew-l? passing inward oi the wall of the housing for the purpose, and current is led to and from the same by means of leads l8 and 48' which are trained. outward from the body of the vehiele through suitable openings formed in the bracket members 15 and 16', an eye 49 carried at an intermediate point on the arm 17, and through an opening" formed in the wall oi? the housing-24, their outer free ends being connectedto suitable binding screws 50 at the base otthe la'nnisocket 46, while their inner ends are preferably connected to a suitable control switch 51, preferably of a button tj,*pe,'whi"ch is conveniently mounted, or otherwise secured on the forward side of the inner face of the wall. portion 14.- of the body oi the vehicle within easy reach of the driver or operator. A suitable term of electric lamp'52 isto be inserted into the socket l-figand the sameinay be of any usual term, or as shown, oi? a type requiring bayonet slots 53 being termed in thewall of the socket for the reception of radially Qf-Itti'ltb inn pins carried on the lamp base.

To permit the propel rotation of the sleeve 28 around the lamp socket 46, the

. lower end portion of the same is cutaway.

orcirc iinlerentially slotted, as at 5, so as to be free from the leads l8 and 4.8 and the screw 4 which extends inwardly of the wall of the housing 24 across the path 'o the same. Also, the upper end of the sleei 'e is engaged by oppositely disposed clip members 29"whicliare secured by suitable screw :lastenings to the outer wall Oil the housing: ill, whereby accidental displacei'nent ot the sleeve and signal arm carried thereby is prevented, such as might otherwise occur in iolting movements of the vehicle over rough roadways. It is to be noted that the current supply for the lamp 52 may be furnished from any suitable source, such as the magnote of the auto'mobile", or from dry or storage batteries, as may be desired or otherwise feasible.

In the use of the signal, when the same is assembled and positioned in the desired manner, or as shown, thenormal indicating positionot the signal arm 29 is" parallel to the side of the vehicle, with the green lens showing to the rear, thus indicating forward travelo-t the vehicle or that the same is at a standstill. When it is desired to make a right turn, the direction of such turn is to be indicated by moving the lever 43 upward of the slot 21 into slot 0 anddownward thereof to slot 4-1, during which movement or the lever, the flexible cableor sha'lt 32 will he twisted for the rotation of the bear inn disk 27 and the sleeve 28, and, consequently, the signal arm 29 will be moved av quarter turn to the right, or in right angular relation with respect to the vehicle with the point toward theside oi the latter. After the turn is completed, the lever ii-3 is moved back to slot ll and the signal arm 29 is returned to normal position. Similarly, when a left turn is to be made by the vehicle, the lever a3 is moved to slot ll through slot 40 :t'roni the slot ll, andthe connected parts of the r gnal actuating mechanism are rotated to inovethe signal arm 29150 a position at right angles to the body of the vehicle with the point thereof outward and away from the latter; llhen operating the signal at night, the lanip 52 may be lighted by simply actuating, theswitch 51 "for the purpose.

Having thus tullv'described my invention, what is claimed is in a signaling device of the class described, a blanket arm extending outwardly of a vehicle and liming a tl'ireadod inner end portion, clamp supporting means adjustably movable along the threaded inner end portion of said, bracket arm, a signal arm carried at the outer end of said bracket arm, and means carried at the inner end of said braelvt arm for actuating said signal arm from normal indication oi lei-ward running or stop position oi the vehicle to either oi its right and left turn indie i-ositions.

In a nailing do i the. class de 7 a bracket arm er; ndin outwardly of a vehicle and having; a threadec inner end portion, a two-part cl mping bracket; ad'- iustabl movaliile along: the Q :l inner end portion ot said bracket arm, nd a signal arin carried at the outer end of said bracket arm, and means carried at the inner end of said bracket arm for actuating said signal arm from normal indication oi? tori ard running or stop position to either of its right or left indicating positions.

3. In a signal device of the class described, a bracket arm extending outwardly of a vehicle and having a. threaded inner end portion, a two-part clamping bracket mounted on the threaded inner end of said bracket arm, each part thereof being adapted for adjustment one with respect to the other, a signal arm carried at the outer end of said bracket arm, and means carried at the inner end of said bracket arm for actuating said signal arm from normal indication of'forward running or stop position of the vehicle to either of its right and left turn indicatin positions.

4. n a signal device of the class described, a bracket arm extending outwardly of a vehicle and having a threaded inner end portion, a substantially U-shaped bracket adjustably mounted on the threaded inner end portion of said bracket arm, clamping means for securing said bracket in position. after its desired adjustment, a signal arm carried at the outer end of said bracket arm,

and means carried at the inner end of said bracket arm for actuatin said signal arm from normal indication 0 forward running or stop position of the vehicle to either of its right and left turn indicating positions.

5. In a signaling device of the class described, a bracket arm extending outwardly of a vehicle and having a threaded inner end portion, a substantially U-shaped bracket having its leg ortions adjustably engaged on the threaded inner end portion of said bracket arm, clamping members ,on the threaded portion of said bracket arm for securing the connected portion of said U- shaped bracket in, adjusted position, a signal arm carried at the outer end of said bracket arm, and means carried at the inner end of said bracket arm for actuating said signal arm from normal indication of forward running or stop position of the vehicle to either of its right and left turn indicating positions.

6. In a signaling device of the class described, a bracket arm extending outwardly of a vehicle and having a threaded inner end portion, a two-part substantially U- shaped bracket having its parallel leg portions adjustably engaged on the threaded inner end portion of said bracket arm, clamping members secured to either side of the connected portions of said bracket for securing said bracket arm in adjusted position, a signal arm carried at the outer end of said bracket arm, and means carried at the innerend of said bracket arm for actuatingsaid signal arm from normal indication of forward running or stop position of the vehicle to either of its right and left turn indicating positions.

"7. A signal device of the class described comprising a. tubular bracket arm extending outwardly of a vehicle, clamping means for said bracket arm, a signal arm ournaled in the outer end of said bracket arm, a flexlble shaft extending through said bracket arm and operatively connectin said signal arm, an actuating-lever pivotal y connecting the inner end of said flexible shaft, and means carried at the end of said bracket arm for guiding said lever in its movements for the operation of said signal arm and for retaining the same together with the latter in their several indicative positions.

8. A signal device of the class described comprising a tubular bracket arm extending outwardly of a vehicle, clamping means for said bracket arm, a signal arm journaled in the outer end of saidbracket arm, a flexible shaft extending through said bracket arm and operatively connecting said signal arm, a cylindrical casing carried at the free end of said bracket arm and having its peripheral wall formed to provide operatively extending slotways, an actuating lever pivotally connecting the inner free end of said flexible shaft and operable in the slotways of said casing, and means carried at the outer end of said casing and'associated with the slotways whereby to permit movement of the lever from one of the slotways to the other thereof and to retain the lever in positions corresponding to the indicating positions of said signal arm.

9. A signal device of the class described comprising a tubular bracket arm extending outwardly of a vehicle, clamping means for said bracket arm,'a cylindrical housing carried at the outerfree end of said bracket arm, a lamp socket disposed concentrically within said housing, a signal arm sleeve journaled in said housing concentrically between the opposed walls of the latter and said lamp socket, a flexible shaft extending through said bracket arm and operatively connecting said signal arm sleeve, and means carried at theinner end of said bracket arm and connecting said flexible shaft by actuating said signal arm sleeve for moving the signal arm thereof to and from either of its indicating positions.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto.

AAARON WEISBERGQ 

